The next day, destroyer USS Thornton arrived, and took the ship under tow. F4U Corsairs of VMF-214 from Turtle Bay Airfield arrived to excort the ship, patrolling at 9,000' at 17:30 until sunset, when only four remained: Pace, Jack Petit, Dick Sigel, and Mac McCall. Aircraft were seen approaching from the north, and at first were thought to be PV-1 Venturas.

In fact, they were G3M Nell bombers and the F4U Corsairs attacked, causing the bombers to dropped their bombs prematurely and the gunners fired from long range at the F4Us. Pace fired at one with a full deflection shot, and set it on fire and cause it to explode. Petit damaged another, that escaped into a cloud.

During World War II, USS Chincoteague earned six battle stars.

Postwar
Decommissioned on December 21, 1946 at Beaumont, Texas. Placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group. Transferred to US Coast Guard on March 7, 1942 and recommissioned as USCGC Chincoteague (WAVP-375). Next, redesignated High Endurance Cutter (WHEC-375), 1 May 1966. Permanently transferred to the US Coast Guard, 26 September 1966. Decommissioned in June 1972.

Transferred to South Vietnam on June 21, 1972 and renamed RVNS Tran Binh Trong (HQ-5). Sold to the Philippines on April 5, 1976 and renamed RPS Andres Bonifacto (PF-7). Decomissioned June 1985. Final fate unknown.